ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western baseball (1-15, 0-8 MIAA) struggled to find a rhythm offensively, as they dropped a pair to Northeastern State (8-8, 5-3 MIAA) at the Springs Sports Complex on Saturday.
The RiverHawks clinched the series with two victories. They secured a 7-5 win in game one with a grand slam and followed up with a strong performance in game two, scoring three unanswered runs to seal an 8-2 victory.
Blake Venneman had a monster afternoon at the plate for Missouri Western. The junior infielder slashed .778/.800/.889 with seven hits, one run, a stolen base and a walk. On the mound, junior left-handed pitcher
Logan Winkelman had an impressive showing with a season-high 11 strikeouts in 6.2 innings but was ultimately credited with the losing decision.
The Griffons will conclude their three-game home series against the RiverHawks tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.
GAME ONE: MWSU 5, NSU 7
Game one was a rollercoaster from the very beginning.
The RiverHawks struck first with two runs in the opening frame, but the Griffons quickly responded with two runs of their own, highlighted by a single from
Jackson Bryant in the bottom half of the inning.
The teams were engaged in a tight pitching duel for the next first five innings until Western broke through to take their first lead at 3-2 in the seventh, aided by a successful steal at home by
Frank Gall. Despite the momentum shift towards the Griffons, NSU reclaimed the lead in the eighth inning, scoring five runs on just one hit, highlighted by a grand slam from Gage Williams.
In the bottom of the eighth, Missouri Western added two more runs with a sacrifice fly from Bryant and an RBI single from Gall. The Griffons had the bases loaded with one out in the ninth, but a 4-6-3 double play sealed the 7-5 victory for the RiverHawks.
As a team, Missouri Western collected 10 hits, with Venneman leading the Griffons at the plate with an impressive 4-for-5 performance—the most hits he has recorded in a single game while representing Missouri Western. Bryant also contributed significantly with a trio of RBIs.
Lynden Bruegman made his third start of the season, earning a no-decision after striking out four batters and allowing only two runs in 3.2 innings.
Jayson Shorb contributed with 3.1 excellent innings out of the bullpen, giving up just one hit and recording four strikeouts, and
Josh Nolte (0-1) was charged with the loss.
GAME TWO: MWSU 2, NSU 8
The RiverHawks carried their momentum from the opening game into the second, scoring two runs in both the second and fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead.
Missouri Western narrowed the gap with two runs in the sixth inning, starting with a run scored by Bryant from a wild pitch, followed by an excelling bunt single from Gall that drove in
Kaden Doan. Northeastern State responded with four unanswered runs in the final three innings to secure the six-run victory.
Venneman once again shined at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base, highlighting the team's six hits.
Carson Shear added the only extra-base hit for Western with a two-base knock in the fifth.
Winkelman (0-2) delivered a season-high 11 strikeouts in his fifth start but was charged with the loss after giving up five earned runs over 6.2 innings.
Nate Herken added the second-most strikeouts for MWSU with two.
